16 HURT IN APARTMENT FIRE EAST OF JERUSALEM

Jerusalem, 10 Shawwal 1436/26 July 2015 (MINA) –  Sixteen Palestinians suffered burns or smoke inhalation Saturday morning when a fire broke out in a multi-story residential building in the town of Abu Dis east of Jerusalem.

The Palestinian Civil Defense said in a statement that fire fighters were alerted to a blaze in an apartment in the second floor. When they arrived, they found a living room and kitchen ablaze, with flames reaching the building’s staircase, Ma’an News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

A number of residents suffered smoke inhalation, while at least four suffered burns.

The statement said that fire fighters along with paramedics of the Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance service evacuated 40 people from the building. Sixteen were taken to a medical dispensary in Abu Dis for treatment.

Four of the 16 who sustained burns were then taken to al-Maqasid Hospital in the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem for treatment.

The owner of the apartment, Dr Issa Abu Zuheira, was rescued without injury from his balcony.

Director of East Jerusalem Civil Defense Muhammad Hajjar said initial investigations suggested the fire was caused by an electric fan.  (T/P010/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)